ANGKASA President Heads Malaysian Delegation, Vies For ICA Board Seat

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (ANGKASA) president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah will compete against 23 candidates from around the world for one of 15 seats on the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Board for the 2026-2030 term.

In a statement today, ANGKASA said Abdul Fattah's candidacy seeks to preserve Malaysia's position within the ICA's top leadership. The election is scheduled for Sept 15, during the ICA Global Conference & Assemblies 2026 in Panama.

"The ICA Board seat for the 2022-2026 term is held by ANGKASA vice-president Datuk Kamarudin Ismail," the statement read.

Abdul Fattah is leading the Malaysian cooperative delegation to the conference, which runs from Sept 13 to 18.

He is also scheduled to hold several face-to-face meetings with leaders of international cooperative apex bodies in Panama.

Themed "Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World," the conference is expected to draw more than 850 delegates, including cooperative leaders, practitioners, policymakers and partners.

The conference serves as a platform to discuss the direction, challenges and potential of the cooperative movement in navigating the shifting global economic landscape.

According to the statement, ANGKASA's participation in the world's highest cooperative gathering is crucial to ensuring that the voices and interests of Malaysian cooperatives continue to be represented in shaping the agenda and direction of the international cooperative movement.

The platform also opens up opportunities to broaden networks, explore economic and trade cooperation, and share best practices with cooperative organisations from various countries.

"The delegation will attend the ICA General Assembly, networking sessions with ICA members and ICA Board candidates, ICA Board Meeting and ICA General Assembly, which will involve the election of the ICA President and Board members for the new term.

"It will also participate in the ICA Global Cooperative Conference, which features keynote addresses, panel discussions and thematic workshops on the role of cooperatives in building peace, strengthening multilateralism and enhancing their international impact," ANGKASA said.

The 25-member Malaysian cooperative delegation comprises representatives from the Malaysian Cooperative Institute, ANGKASA, Koperasi Pembiayaan Syariah ANGKASA Berhad, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd, Koperasi Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia Berhad, Koperasi Angkatan Tentera Malaysia Bhd, Koperasi Kakitangan Petronas Bhd, Koperasi Jayadiri Malaysia Bhd, Koperasi Konsumer Malaysia Bhd and Koperasi Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

ANGKASA's participation reflects the cooperative apex body's ongoing commitment to keeping the interests of Malaysia's cooperative movement represented within the international cooperative ecosystem, while strengthening efforts to expand global ties and open new opportunities for the development of Malaysian cooperatives.

-- BERNAMA